1969 Porsche 912 Targa ‘Soft Window’
Porsche’s entry-level sports car bridged the gap between the departing 356 and the more expensive 911, utilizing the 911’s body shell with a four-cylinder engine derived from the final 356SC models.
Production commenced at Karmann’s facility in April 1965, with approximately 30,000 coupes and about 2,500 Targas built through July 1969. The lighter four-cylinder configuration improved weight distribution and handling characteristics compared to the six-cylinder 911.
The 96-cubic-inch (1.6-liter) air-cooled flat-four produced 90 horsepower, delivering a top speed of roughly 119 mph while consuming significantly less fuel than its six-cylinder sibling.
Initially, the 912 outsold the 911 by about a two-to-one margin, appealing to budget-conscious enthusiasts seeking 911 styling at approximately 16 percent lower cost.
Targa production began in December 1966 as a 1967 model, initially featuring a removable roof section and a zippered plastic rear window. Glass rear windows became standard in January 1968, relegating the original soft-window design to special-order status.
For 1969, Porsche lengthened the wheelbase from 87.0 to 89.4 inches, improving high-speed stability and overall handling. The soft-window configuration on the long-wheelbase chassis proved exceptionally rare, with most sources suggesting fewer than 30 examples were produced.
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